{"id":23352,"date":"2022-09-07T15:11:11","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T15:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ancient-literature.com\/?p=23352"},"modified":"2022-09-13T08:16:53","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T08:16:53","slug":"sphinx-oedipus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ancient-literature.com\/sphinx-oedipus\/","title":{"rendered":"Sphinx Oedipus: The Origin of the Sphinx in Oedipus the King"},"content":{"rendered":"
The sphinx Oedipus<\/strong> was originally an Egyptian creation that was adopted by Sophocles in his tragic play, Oedipus Rex. The gods sent the creature to kill the Thebans, probably as punishment for the sins of a previous king. <\/p>\n The humanlike animal gave a difficult riddle to its victims and killed them if they were not able to solve them,<\/strong> except Oedipus. Read on to find out the origins of the sphinx, what the riddle was, and how Oedipus solved it.<\/p>\n Sphinx Oedipus Rex is a beast that had the features of a woman and several animals<\/strong> who plagued the people of Thebes night and day, in Greek mythology. The Thebans cried for help until Oedipus came, killed the sphinx, and set the Thebans free.<\/p>\n In the play, the sphinx is described as having the head of a woman and the body and tail of a lion (other sources say she has the tail of a serpent). The monster had paws just like the big cat<\/strong> but had the wings of an eagle with the breasts of a woman.<\/p>\n The height of the sphinx was not mentioned but several artworks depict the creature to be a giantess.<\/strong> Others believed that the monster was just the size of an average person but possessed superhuman power and strength.<\/p>\n Though the sphinx appears only once in the play,<\/strong> her impact on the events could be felt right to the very end, which was to frighten everyone.<\/p>\n The main role of the creature was to kill the Thebans as punishment for either their crimes or the crimes of a king or noble. Some sources narrate that the creature was sent by Hera to punish the city of Thebes<\/strong> for their refusal to bring Laius to book for abducting and raping Chrysippus. She carried off the youth of the city to feed on and on some days stood at the entrance of the city, presenting wayfarers with a difficult riddle.<\/p>\n Anyone who could not solve the riddle became her fodder forcing the Theban regent, Creon, to issue an edict that anyone who could solve the riddle would have the throne of Thebes.<\/strong> The monster promised to kill herself if anyone answered her puzzle. Unfortunately, all who tried to solve the mystery failed and the sphinx fed on them. Fortunately, on a journey from Corinth to Thebes, Oedipus encountered the sphinx and solved the puzzle.<\/p>\n Once Oedipus solved the riddle, the creature died by throwing herself off the cliff, and immediately, he was crowned king.<\/strong> Thus, had the sphinx not plagued the Thebans, there was no way that Oedipus would be king of Thebes.<\/p>\n First, he was not from Thebes (at least, according to Oedipus), talking less of being part of the Theban royal family. He was from Corinth<\/strong> and was the son of King Polybus and Queen Merope. Thus, his inheritance was in Corinth, not Thebes.<\/p>\n Of course, later in the story, we realize that Oedipus was actually from Thebes<\/strong> and was a royal. He was born to King Laius and Queen Jocasta<\/a> but was sent to death as a baby because of a prophecy.<\/p>\n The gods had prophecied that baby Oedipus would grow up to kill his father<\/a> and marry his mother, and the only way to prevent it was to kill him.<\/strong> However, by a twist of fate, the young boy ended up in the palace of King Polybus and Queen Merope of Corinth.<\/p>\nWhat Is Sphinx Oedipus?<\/h2>\n
The Description of the Sphinx Oedipus<\/h2>\n
The Role of the Sphinx Oedipus Rex<\/h2>\n
To Terrorize the People of Thebes<\/h3>\n
The Sphinx Had a Hand in Making Oedipus King of Thebes<\/h3>\n